The World's Most Beautiful Beaches

This interesting list of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world was compiled by Tim Clark, a journalist who writes for the Daily Mail newspaper in the UK. In it he has some fantastic choices, including the beaches on The Whitsunday Islands, in Queensland, Australia which also features in the Top Ten Beaches in the World compiled by Gavin McOwan of the Guardian newspaper. So here is his list of the world's top beaches:

Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Tulum is probably the most visited of the Maya sites in the Yucatan, even though the ruins are structurally less impressive than Chichen Itza or Uxmal and much less extensive, this is because they have the fantastic azure Caribbean sea as a backdrop, which make for a startling contrast, and heaven for the photographer or artist.

Tulum is a wonderful place to escape and relax, where you can you'll appreciate the simpler things in life. Stay at a little beach cabana, just steps away from the sea and relax in a hammock under a shady palm tree, exploring the natural wonders of this area and walking along the beach to dinner under a blanket of stars. Ogh and the beach isn't bad either.

Jumby Bay, Antigua

Jumby Bay is a tiny private island about two miles off the coast of Antigua that you can get to by boat. With golden sands and crystal clear water, it is everything that you want from a Caribbean beach.

Jumby bay is a popular beach holiday destination with upmarket travellers, but the three large sandy beaches never feel really feel crowded.

The retreat features about 40 rooms & suites, plus 11 Harbour villa. Each with four-poster beds, ceiling fans, air-conditioning and a terrace with varying ocean views as some are closer to the beach than others.

Es Migjorn, Formentera, Balearic Islands

Of the Baelearic islands, Formentera is the smallest and least developed with many beautiful beaches around the coast. Almost all of the beaches have soft white sands and because Formentera is surrounded by a crystal-clear Mediterranean sea it offers excellent underwater visibility, making it an ideal location for diving and snorkeling. The constant breeze not only helps in keeping you cool, but you can also use it to try your hand at wind-surfing.

Formentera is very different from its high-living, high octane party all night neighbour Ibiza and is a place where you can go to relax. Es Migjorn has miles and miles of fine, white sand ensuring beach-goers can find their own spot in the sun.

The Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Thailand, Palawan in the Philippines and the Perhentain Islands in Malaysia. One thing that is for sure is that South East Asia has some of the best beaches in the world.

On the tip of Malaysia’s northeastern coast and about 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore in the state of Terengganu, you will find the spectacular Perhentian Islands, there are no roads and all travel there is by boat. Both the islands have palm-fringed white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea.

The Perhentian Islands are home to a significant Green and Hawksbill turtle nesting populations as well as lots of rays, cuttlefish and parrotfish. The marine life combined with crystal clear waters mean that the scuba diving on the Perhentian islands is exceptional as well.

Baska Voda Beach, Croatia

Once a humble fishing village, Baska Voda's beaches, pine woods and lovely setting have made it a favorite for seaside tourism and it is easy to see why.

With the stunning backdrop of the Biokovo mountains, great sands and warm waters, Baska Voda beach is one of the best beaches on the stunning Adriatic coastline of Dalmatia in Croatia.

As well as lazing on the stunning beaches, there some fantastic hiking trails in and around the forests that surround the area.

Rhossili beach, The Gower Peninsula, Wales

The views from Rhossili village above Worm's Head over the sweep of Rhossili beach were voted 11th out of 50 of the Best Views in the World in a recent worldwide contest.

The magnificent 5km beach Rhossili beach as well as the nearby Caswell Bay is as good as it gets anywhere in the world when the sun shines.

If you are there, wander into the National Trust Shop located on the tip of the Gower peninsula and next to Rhossili beach, where you can also go on a Clifftop walk with breathtaking views of Worms Head.

Any of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific archipelago is is a sumptuous mix of tropical sun and coconut palms and was voted to have the world's most glorious bone-white beaches and therefore makes the perfect place to get away from the stresses and strains of life.

Aroa beach on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands also features on the Guardian's list as one of the top 10 beaches in the world.

Coronado beach, San Diego, California

Coronado Beach is a short ferry ride or car trip across the San Diego Bay Bridge from downtown San Diego on west coast of California in the US often makes it into lists of America's top beaches and is popular with locals, families, and tourists.

Coronado has the widest expanse of sand of any beach in the county of San Diego and so there is always plenty of room for you to find your perfect piece of sand.

The beach has also starred in Hollywood movies, with the classic film Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn Monroe set at the Coronado Hotel which overlooks the beach.

Whitehaven, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia

Mile after mile of wide, white sandy beaches, that slope gently down into the beautiful warm sapphire coloured sea. If that's your idea of the perfect beach, them Whitehaven beach on the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland is for you.

Getting to Whitehaven, is not that simple and sometimes in the year you have to wear a stinger suit to swim in the sea, but that is why finding your own spot on the beach will definitely not be a problem and these are small prices to pay for paradise.

It is highly recommended that you stay longer than one day on Whitehaven and the only way to stay near the beach is to camp. You can get a permit from Airlie Beach town on the mainland.